Mediterranean Garden Grill

Best middle eastern food ive ever had!!!
Verrrrrry goood service and the best hoookah

The name changed only — one the original owners took it back and changed the name. It still has basically the same menu — only a few items missing. But the same waiters are there.

I’ve been to this place a few times and the food is always great! The kebabs are great and it comes with rice, grilled tomatoes and zucchini. Their jajike and hummus are delicious and they have a GOOD cheese appetizer. The dish I’d say is the best is their fish… MAN ALIVE. It is so good. It usually comes on a bed of rice but I replace it with spinach making it that much better!
If you like to hookah they also provide that service too! Woohoo!

The food was alright, but nothing outstanding.
We ordered the frog legs and beef shawarma.
The frog legs were alright. I don’t have a problem with the ingredient (frogs are food) so much as the preparation. It didn’t feel as though the seasonings penetrated the flesh of the frog.
The beef shawarma was mediocre. The rice that came with it was soggy and the meat itself was quite tough.
The atmosphere was relaxed and there was a belly dancer to boot. I just wish the food matched the ambiance.

Ich! Ich! Ich! (Esh) The girls at the salon and I LOVE this stuff! Similar to Tabbouleh, only it’s wheat in tomato sauce with a peppery and citrus punch. Comes with warm Arabic bread.
Tried their grape leaves stuffed with rice… more like semi sour mush. I’ve had better elsewhere. Stick to the ich.
THE garlic sauce!!! Mmm mmm spread it on evvverythaaang! I LOVE it and I don’t care who smells it on my breath afterward, it’s THAT good.
Chicken and beef kebab are delicious.
TO GO: Comes with rice, Roma tomato, zucchini, bread, hummus and pickled daikon and garlic spread.
DINE IN: Comes with rice, Roma tomato, zucchini, bread and… that’s it??? Ummm where are rest of the tasty treats?
The dining area is an enclosed patio which also serves as a hookah bar. If the smell bothers you, order it to go.

Really happy we discovered this gem in Monrovia.
The food is delicious! I’ve gotten the Fattoush salad a few times and it is really great. Splitting the Fattoush salad with any of their plates is a good balance of veggies to mean/​carbs. Their salmon is also very good along with their rice.
The service is impeccable. The two young guys usually there for lunch are accommodating, kind, attentive and make you want to come back.
We’ve often gone there in large groups and have always had a great time. We call in advance and the table is always ready when we get there.
Great place for lunch.

Came in to celebrate Mother’s Day.
I had a party which included several mothers too.
Right off the bat though it was a warm day it was way too hot inside this place — a small blower fan/​AC was all there was to keep us cool. All where put off by the temperature — but felt it was Mothers Day and finding another place would be impossible — so we stayed.
Food: nice sounding selections. Ordered appetizers (hummus, olives and tatzikiki and feta) they did not bring the feta. Entrees: many chose lamb skewers which were over cooked and tough, my bro-​in-​law order frog legs — which he enjoyed, I had the shrimp skewer which was succulent and amazing (that’s why 2 stars).
Overall — not impressed enough to dine in — this is by far a to-​go locations so I can use my air conditioner and enjoy my meal.

I drive by this place all the time. I finally decided to try it.
It’s like an enclosed Patio seating area. Sometimes they have the windows open, and other times its closed with the AC.
SO GOOD! Got the Kebab combo for 2 (chicken beef and lule) and shared. We also ordered the falafel, calamari, grape leaves and hummus.
Grapes leaves were so good. Hummus was thick and flavorful!
You gotta ask for the garlic sauce. It has just the right amount of kick to enhance the flavors of the chicken, steak and lamb.
Falafel was so fresh and delish! (I would order this again as an entrée next time)
I would skip the fried calamari next time.
Service is So-​so. The food makes up for it.
When we walked, the waiter just nodded over to the table he wanted us to sit at. Then one of the other servers decided it was time to take a break and start smoking a hookah. He didn’t even bother to go to the other end of the eating area. Maybe he thought it was a good way to great customers?
Will have to come for dinner and see the evening entertainment. My kids will love the music and dancing.

Was pretty excited after reading their menu, I’m a sucker for frog legs. Perhaps I set my expectations too high after reading the reviews but the food was just ok. Not bad but nothing special. The frog legs were good in terms freshness quality but they over loaded them with lemon sauce in my opinion as all I tasted was the sourness. The hummus, sautéed spinach and falafel were ok but not memorable. The disappointment was that they served cold, supermarket pita bread. We were hoping for toasted fresh pita bread as served in many of the Mediterranean places in NYC, but I guess that would be asking too much in this area. Service was almost nonexistent. We had to remind the waitress multiple times before our glasses were refilled.
Unless there’s overwhelming craving for frog legs, I will not go back.

This place most certainly lived up to all the rave postings.

for their menu & photos too!
Got really great attentive and very courteous service from Avo, Jojo and Sara all throughout the night.
I’m actually sorry not to give it 5 stars, but the hookah smoking in an enclosed patio was simply too much. (I know it is advertised as a hookah bar but I somehow thought it might be separated due to the Smoking Ban in effect in LA county — I was wrong, sadly).
Although it is an enclosed patio, they do have heaters working — do bring a wrap or light jacket for comfort.
Happy hour is 2pm to 5 pm — I just missed it! but had the Mediterranean Martini — hello lovely drink — made with peach, rose water and cranberry syrup plus vodka — surprised it came out blue — lovely color — like the Sea! Great drink!
Do get the mezza (I guess the closest translation would be appetizer) sampler (good enough for two) or build your own mezza (if there are at least 4 in your party). I highly recommend getting this since you can pick your own choices from their extensive menu.
The mezza for 4 allows you 8! EIGHT! eight ! different hot/​cold combination items.
Got the rice stuffed grape leaves — awesome, not too tangy, not greasy.
Kibbeh Neyeh — lean RAW meat — think of Steak tartare, great with the mint, garlic aioli, red onions and fresh pita — I really liked that the pita came warm, availalbe both soft and crispy.
Gotta have the Hummus — a generous bowlful of it.
French Feta Cheese Plate — block of Feta with cucumbers and tomatoes.
Cheese Boregs — Thin Fillo Dough filled and rolled with Mild White Cheese and crispy fried. Divine!
Falafel served with Tahini, Fried Kibbeh, and Fattoush Salad (Veg) –A Mix of Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumber, Onions and fresh Mint, tossed with toasted Pita Chips in Sumac, Olive Oil and Lemon Juice.
Just these alone were enough to fill us up.
Also got a Kebab Combo — (1 skewer each of Chicken, Beef and Lule Kebabs, served with Rice Pilaf, Grilled Vegetables and MORE Pita Bread.)
Save room for dessert!
Ashta is served & charged per person, be sure to ask for a small portion if you are sharing. Genius in its simplicity — sliced bananas, thick cream with a drizzle of honey and sprinkled with ground pistachio — lovely but not overwhelming flavor of rose water.
Passed on Baklava but got Kenafeh instead — Filo dough (crushed? Made to look like finely shredded noodles) with a soft, almost creamy center — very balanced crunch, chewy & soft texture, not super sweet. Interactive dessert — you get to pour the honey-​rose water syrup over the whole thing just before consuming it.
Altogether a happy experience.

I’ve been here a few times and I really like this place. Great food and friendly service. For lunch I recommend the greek chicken salad with a side of hummus– it’s delicious. For dinner I like the Chicken Kebab, which comes with rice and grilled veggies. Everything is very fresh and delicious. They have a full bar, but I prefer a cold beer with my Greek food. They also offer hookah and belly dancing on the weekend, which is fun. The parking lot can get full, but there you can usually find parking on the street if necessary.

Kabobs = great… not dry like your thanksgiving turkey.
Salad w feta = the only salad I would pay $ 8 for.
Atmosphere = you’re actually outdoors, but seems like you’re indoors.
Hookah bar/​restaurant. Can’t speak on the hookah, but the food is good.
Throw in some sexy belly dancers… Sold!!!

Just damn good and juicy meat! My family and I went here for our pre-Father’s Day get-​together (we hate going out on the actual holidays because of crowds) and we had a very filling lunch in a charming covered patio with frescoes and vines (fake but still) hanging from the roof. And they easily accommodated all 13 of us in one table.
Portions are large and the pita is warm and fresh. Besides the lunch combos, where we ordered anywhere from chicken to beef to lamb, we had some scrumptious fried calamari that my finicky nephew gobbled up on his own. And of course, the hummus and baba ganoush had to be tasty or why bother?
All in all, service was amazing and we had a fantastic time. Highly recommend this place. .. and it’s good for takeout too!

My friend dragged me here with an expiring groupon. We drove local for some reason so it seemed further than it actually is and I was getting cranky with hunger.
I walked in to the patio and I asked my friends whether we should sit inside or on the patio. I then realized that the patio is the whole restaurant! There is no inside.
We ordered the kabob plate, fish, and a bunch of small dishes. The best thing by far was the cold eggplant. We gobbled it up so fast. Everything tasted delicious! My tummy and I were very happy.
The service was great. Our waitress was very nice and helped us suggest their dishes. There weren’t that many parties there so they were very attentive.

Small little casual restaurant with dated exterior and own parking lot. Interior is pretty cozy.
Food was quite good but not great.
Lamb Kebob (⁴⁄₅) I found the favor quite good but some pieces were a bit dry.
Souvk Pie (³⁄₅) it was ok and a little too oily
Overall (3.5÷5)

Came here for dinner with the cousin.
FOOD:
* Falafel: This was alright. A little overcooked. It was really crispy but the hard kind of crispy. The inside was good tho.
* Chicken Shawama — it was ok. I felt like the chicken was kinda dry and flaborless. I was disappointed because I expected some flavors. It really was flavorless. :/​
SERVICE:
Good. Standard. They checked up on us and such.
AMBIANCE:
Pretty ambiance.
PARKING:
Free parking in private lot or street
OVERALL:
I’m willing to give this place another shot. Let’s see.
(Because it’s near my new place)

When I eat Mediterranean cuisine, I’m expecting to be wow’d by flavors.
I’ve dined here twice for lunch. The first time was with a group of coworkers and the second with just my husband. (Yes, we went on a lunch date). Service was mediocre the first time and excellent the second.
The setting is pleasant. It feels like you’re dining outside, yet covered. The parking lot is awkward. (U-​shaped, narrow and spots only available on the east side of the building and back)
The portion of food they give you for the lunch plates are HUGE (e.g. Beef/​Chicken Shawarma has so much meat!). I’m usually fine with just a Shawarma sandwich which will fill me up.
The meat on the shawarmas (beef & chicken) aren’t as flavorful as I’ve had before (A positive is that they aren’t skimpy on their portions). I’ve had their sauteed spinach as well which is yummy and their hummus is pretty good.
For 2 lunches + 2 drinks, our bill came out to $ 25.00
I’ve experienced better Mediterranean food elsewhere, but this place is definitely a contender. Will be back to try more things…

Been really curious about this place, but I’m rarely in this part of town so decided to give it a try. The dining area is a converted patio, and apparently there is belly dancing on Friday & Saturdays.
I got a lule kabob entrée, which was served on rice with tomatoes & a grilled piece of zucchini. I liked the way it tasted, but I have to mark down slightly & if you’ve been to Raffi’s in Glendale, you understand. Raffi’s has that yummy lemon basil, pieces of white onion, SUPER fluffy rice, & grilled pepper if you like to mix in spicy bites of your food. This is food that’s competently prepared, but without some of those side dishes, it’s not the same experience. It’s worth mentioning that Mediterranean Garden Grill is about half the price of Raffi’s, tho, so maybe there’s wiggle room for people to be fans of both places.
I guess I’m one of the dissenting opinions about this place, but it’s a satisfactory lunch, for sure.

Came here for dinner with friends this past Friday.
Researched it on Unilocal before going, of course, and had thus already decided what I was going to get: chicken salad and ashta.
Chicken salad: +0.75 STARS
Overall, the salad was pretty good. The chicken was not too dry and I really liked having the tomatoes. The seasoning was quite tangy — a little too sour for my taste (although I’m sure my mum would have loved it). I think I would have liked it better if it had avocado in it.
Ashta: +0.0 STARS
I’m sorry!!! Everyone on Unilocal loved it so much so I thought I would; I mean, it sounds really good: «Sheramoya Fruit mixed with whipped Cream and Rose Water. Topped with crushed Pistachios and Honey. Garnished with fresh sliced Bananas.» (Apart from the pistachios since I’m allergic), who wouldn’t love that??? I have no idea what sheramoya is, and maybe that is why, but this dessert just didn’t suit me. Loved the banana and honey, and I usually love cream and rose water, but — my friend described it best: «This is like eating lotion!» (No offense Mediterranean Garden Grill!) Perhaps it’s because I took away the pistachios? But yeah, we ended up not being able to finish the dessert. But we ate all the bananas! :P
Belly Dancing: +0.5 STARS
The great thing about going on a Friday night is that there is a belly dancer! Beautiful and limber, she was quite entertaining to watch. And it was so cute to watch this one little girl go up to her and try and imitate her! :)
SERVICE/​ATMOSPHERE/​PARKING: +1.25 STARS
Although some of the reviewers here on Unilocal did not seem to like the restaurant layout and how it’s so exposed to the outside, I thought it was really nice (probably because the weather was good). The ambiance is nice with plenty of space for the belly dancer, and service was pretty good. The only reason why we had to flag down our waiter to ask for the check was because the belly dancer was blocking him from checking up on our table. And I love that they have their own parking lot! It’s a nice break from the endless search for street parking I have to do whenever I eat out in LA…
Overall, it was a pleasant night out with friends, but I don’t think I will be coming back.
TOTAL: 2.5 STARS (rounding up to 3 for the rating)

Cold pita bread! that is such a no-​no in my book =/
Ambiance is nice. It’s somewhat a covered-​outdoor area, with fake plants as ceilings. Pretty spacious for the size.
Servers were nice enough. Ordered the lamb sausage for appetizer, $ 7 it was alright. A little too salty, and you have the cold pita bread to wrap it with. dipped it in the sauce the sausage was swimming in.
The lamb kebab was a decent portion, $ 9.99 but i thought that the lamb kebab could use a bit more flavour. it didn’t seem to have that mediterranean kick for me.
My chicken salad was well made. $ 9.99 Chicken was surprisingly moist, for being a kebab. I asked for no onions, and there were a couple cucumers and a good amount of lettuce, dressed in a lime vinaigrette with just the right amount of zest.
–
Tip: There’s hookah apparently and belly dancing on Fridays?
Favourites: dressing on salad, decent portions
Do not want: cold pita bread, sausages are oily and salty for my taste (though i guess it’s supposed to be like that)
Last words: I prefer other places, but if you’re on the east side, this is your best bet